Battery Charging

[Carl Haeussler]

Hello Everyone,

Can anyone give me some advise on charging the battery in my 2000 C5? I was in Florida for 2 months and upon returning home the battery is deader than a rock. I know the normal protocol for battery charging but is there a difference with the C5's? I hooked up the charger properly but when I plugged it in it did a lot of clicking and the underhood light blinked (dim, bright, dim...) along with the clicking. Is there a remote charging post that is to be used as in my 96 Impala or do we just hook the charger up as with any other car?

The battery is 6 years old (vette purch. 9/1999) Maybe time for a new battery??? Any recommendations for a replacement? I doubt I will keep the car but maybe for another year or two so just go with Delco replacement?

Anyhow, let's see if I can get it running first, so help/tips on the battery charging is appreciated.

Thanks

Carl H.

[Glennm27]

Sounds like time for a new one.

If you wanna try charging this one first, take it out of the car and try to charge it.

If you need a new one, I'd suggest an Optima Red Top battery.

You can get them at Costco, Autozone and many other places.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/home.html

[VetBoyZR1]

Your battery is toast. I'd just take the old one to the dealer and get a new Delco. If you don't take the old one, they'll hit you for a core charge, then you'll have a hard time getting rid of it.

[hcvone]

As said above scrap the stock battery and put in a new one, a red top would work fine. :)

[YO-EL]

Carl...

You don't drive your car alot.
The Optima YELLOW top would be better for your needs..

Red top> multiple starting applications
Yellow top> mid- long at rest periods or storage, and high amperage draw applications

Get the Optima Yellow top, NOT the Red one...

[Bill Burkholder]

what ever battery you decide on first check to make sure that your original battery did not LEAK.... It's common to have a stock delco battery leak from the side posts. When installing the new battery do not over tighten the cables.

[Glennm27]

I see as usual, this post has done as much to confuse the person looking for advice as it has helped.

As for looking for a new battery?

Let Optima's website help you since you have heard two different choices given to you here by us CCDV members. Red, Yellow ????? :rolleyes:

They are both great batteries, just slightly different applications and different cost.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive.html

[RichRog]

The yellow and red are also different sizes. If you decide on the yellow (the larger of the two), make sure that it will fit without causing yourself aggravation. I bought a yellow for my C-4 and took it back for the red because of the size.

[hcvone]

Originally posted by YO-EL
Carl...

You don't drive your car alot.
The Optima YELLOW top would be better for your needs..

Red top> multiple starting applications
Yellow top> mid- long at rest periods or storage, and high amperage draw applications

Get the Optima Yellow top, NOT the Red one...


The red top has a much better warranty than the yellow top, 3 to 1 if I remember correctly. :)

[YO-EL]

#1, You DON'T remember... ;nn

&

#2 What you do remember is INCORRECT.. ;mm

The YELLOW top has the better warranty......... ;bt

Its a celarly stated fact on their site & packaging...
My Yellow top is warranteed for life...thru Optima.. ;yn

Don't worry Carl, I am getting old too, but still have my memory... ;ce

You are too much of a party animal ;mm ;ac
And boy toy>>;gg;gm

All that partyin & lovin has taken its toll on your mind;rrr ;zz
;sr ;hw

[Carl Haeussler]

Thanks guys. You did not confuse me. I know that I must take out the battery, try a charge, find that after 6 years it is probably better to get a new battery etc. My only choice then will be to get a red top or yellow top. I will compare as to which fits better. As for cranking power and warranty, that is not that important to me.

No my old battery did not leak from what I can see.

Thank you very much for the help. I am going to Optima Website now.

(Carl N. I'll be back down right after Christmas)
(Carl V. We need to do lunch sometime if you're not off jet-setting).

Too many Carl's here, eh?

Carl H..

[hcvone]

Originally posted by YO-EL
#1, You DON'T remember... ;nn

&

#2 What you do remember is INCORRECT.. ;mm

The YELLOW top has the better warranty......... ;bt

Its a celarly stated fact on their site & packaging...
My Yellow top is warranteed for life...thru Optima.. ;yn

Don't worry Carl, I am getting old too, but still have my memory... ;ce

You are too much of a party animal ;mm ;ac
And boy toy>>;gg;gm

All that partyin & lovin has taken its toll on your mind;rrr ;zz
;sr ;hw



Ellis, if you look at the links below from the Optima web site you can see that the yellow top is warrantied for 1 YEAR and 1 year prorated, or two year warranty, the red top is warrantied for 3 YEARS with a 3 year prorated after that. So once again your are WRONG. ;)

Red Top info

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/starter/warranty_info.html

12V Passanger Vehicle / Light Truck (noncommercial) 36 Months Free Replacement, Remaining 36 Month Prorated
6V Passanger Vehicle / Light Truck (noncommercial) 24 Months Free Replacement, Remaining 36 Month Prorated
Commercial 12 Months Free Replacement, Remaining 36 Month Prorated
Abusive service / Deep Cycle Applciations / Car Audio Not covered

Yellow top info

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/deep_cycle/warranty_info.html


D34/78, D75/25, D34, D35, D51, D51R Automotive, LTV, Commercial, Car Audio 12 Months Free Repacement, Remaining 12 Months Prorated
Series String Applications With Battery Management System or CV/CC Charge Method 12 Months
Series String Applications Without Battery Management System 1 Month

[YO-EL]

No, I am right.. The Optima website is WRONG.

My Yellow Top has an unconditional warranty direct from Optima:
Here is the proof:

3/01/00
Dear Mr Gray:

Your previous purchase of an Optima Yellow top battery should have come in a sealed cardboard box, with plastic shrink wrap around the battery, and red/black plastic terminal covers.

Please accept this one from us with a full lifetime warranty.

Sincerely,
Ceil Jenkins
Optima Proudction Quality Control Manager

Once again I am RIGHT!;yn;hw

[hcvone]

You are right and WRONG, Optima batteries were sold to Johnson Controls in Nov 2000, that is when their warranties changed and the yellow top no longer has the best warranty, so your letter is probably not worth the paper it's written on. ;) , but I am sure you knew that too. :p

[Glennm27]

;gab ;ht ;gm ;faz ;ce ;cc ;ly ;it ;jj ;rrr ;bm

I love this forum.... Now THAT'S Entertainment....

[Bill Burkholder]

shades of CF :D :D

[hcvone]

Originally posted by Bill Burkholder
shades of CF :D :D


If that was true one or both of us would get kicked off. :D :p

[YO-EL]

All I have to do is call Optima to get a new one at no charge....

The Yellow top is more powerful & lasts longer, and has more reserve capacity than any other....

"THE YELLOW TOP OPTIMA BATTERY provides high power output resulting in greater cranking ability at high current loads.

THE YELLOW TOP OPTIMA BATTERY is fully recharged in as little as one hour.

THE YELLOW TOP OPTIMA BATTERY has been verified in Life Cycle testing to exceed 350 complete discharges.

THE YELLOW TOP OPTIMA BATTERY lasts two to three times longer than conventional batteries.

Carl H: Take note of the next line:

"THE YELLOW TOP OPTIMA BATTERY can sit unused for up to one year and still start your vehicle."

[Glennm27]

Take note of this line, FROM the Optima Website I might add:

The Optima Red Top
"Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can sit unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still start a car."

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/starter.html

The point in this post is, if you are just driving a normal Corvette without a 3000 watt Audio/Video system and/or all the neon lights, BUT just a normal car that needs it's battery to crank over the LS1, then the Red Top is perfect.

Yelow Top = overkill for the normal starting applications called for with most Corvettes, like mine.

[YO-EL]

Better to be safe then sorry...

Too many guys dumping their red tops for yellow after their car sits for a few weeks & won't start, and they can't get a charge into the red one..

Its not like the yellow is hundreds of dollars more.. Its like $20..

[hcvone]

I replaced 2 yellow tops in the past two years, that is how I found out about the warranty, when I called Optima they told me and I quote "you purchased the wrong battery for a normal driven car, you should have purchased a red top, they offer the best warranty of the batteries we sell"

Do you think I am making this up? The yellow is for heavy draw from aftermarket electronic equipment. If the yellow top is the best battery that Optima sells then why does it have their worst warranty?

[YO-EL]

Because they know that people who store their cars & play stereo systems with amps will be more prone to discharging the battery or making a claim..

Its all about the possible rate of failure & use, not the product itself, wise guy..

That explains it... Its all about the $$$..

Most CCA> YELLOW
Most times able to be completely discharged & then fully recharged> YELLOW
Most storage capacity> YELLOW
Most reserve starting capacity> YELLOW
Able to leap small buildings at a single bound> YELLOW
Can bend steel in its bare hands> YELLOW
Strong enough to stop a locomotive> YELLOW

STOP, WAIT, LOOK, down in Ellis's engine compartment,
its a bird?, its a plane?, ITS A YELLOW TOP!

[REDGAR]

Wow a pissing match about batteries cool.

My car has a red top and sits for two or three weeks sometimes. always starts except if I leave the key in it or a light on then she dies but it does take a charge.

I probably should have gotten yellow like El

Probably go yellow next time.

El did you have trouble fitting the yellow in there?

[YO-EL]

No problems at all Ed..
Just dropped it right in there!;yn

[hcvone]

Originally posted by YO-EL
Because they know that people who store their cars & play stereo systems with amps will be more prone to discharging the battery or making a claim..

Its all about the possible rate of failure & use, not the product itself, wise guy..

That explains it... Its all about the $$$..

Most CCA> YELLOW
Most times able to be completely discharged & then fully recharged> YELLOW
Most storage capacity> YELLOW
Most reserve starting capacity> YELLOW
Able to leap small buildings at a single bound> YELLOW
Can bend steel in its bare hands> YELLOW
Strong enough to stop a locomotive> YELLOW

STOP, WAIT, LOOK, down in Ellis's engine compartment,
its a bird?, its a plane?, ITS A YELLOW TOP!




So to sum up your ramblings......... people that buy the yellow tops have more money than brains? That is why they spend more money to get 1/3rd the warranty of the red top...now I understand :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Hey what is yout truck (Cool Aid) doing sitting in the street up at the townhouses in Montgromery?

[YO-EL]

No Carl...
People who buy the Yellow Top HAVE brains, because they use them properly, in weekend drivers or stored cars, or cars with audio systems.

The truck you see in Mont is an employees....
COOL-AID CO, only hires employees who drive Corvettes...

[Glennm27]

This is what happens to a very frustrated Flyers Fan by December 1 and no hockey yet and none in the for-seeable future..

Forgive him Carl, he just misses the Flyers and is taking it out on anyone in his line of fire.

Carl H is probably just going to buy an AC-Delco battery after all this crap........... :D

By the way.......... I have a Red Top in my Corvette

[REDGAR]

I saw an optima battery commercial on tv today.

It was for the red one

[Mike Campbell]

Now that this issue has been thoroughly beaten to death, I know which Optima I'll get for "Pewtie"...;tt;tt;tt
;jj;jj

[brian7836]

Hope you guys don't find this off topic.
But if you have a dead battrey it may be worth looking further. My C3 recently had a dead battery. My mechanic is the kind of guy who likes to make sure there is no "root cause". He checked the charging system and found although it was working the alternator had a bad diode. He also checked for parasetic leaks and found a slight draw in the anti-theft circuit. Prevented problems down the road.
Brian

[C5pilot]

Originally posted by hcvone
Hey what is your truck (Cool Aid) doing sitting in the street up at the townhouses in Montgromery?

It's free advertising!

See El, it's working.

[hcvone]

I saw the Police looking around it a few Saturday morning's ago when I was driving past it

[C5pilot]

Yeah, I'm sure they're just waiting for the inspection to run out. It's in the only legal spot in the development. The main road is dedicated so the association can't enforce their parking rules. My guess is that at some point the neighbors will have the township put up no parking signs and then they'll break the law as soon as one of them has a party and needs to park extra cars.